Mizoram sees rise in murder, rape cases

Aizawl, Feb 28 (UNI) Mizoram has witnessed a considerable increase in murder and rape cases, even as there has been a decline in IPC and non-IPC cases.

Addressing a crime conference here yesterday, Mizoram Director General of Police (DGP) Lalrokhuma Pachuau said murder cases rose from 30 in 2006 to 44 in 2007-- a shocking 46.47 per cent increase.

Rape cases also saw a 9.59 per cent increase, from 73 in 2006 to 80 in 2007, he added.

The number of violent crimes recorded in 2007 was 157, a 3.29 per cent rise from the previous year's 152.

However, there was a 6.95 per cent decrease in IPC and non-IPC cases in 2007, police sources said.

While 2006 saw a record of 2,077 IPC cases and 973 non-IPC cases, there were 2,071 IPC cases and 767 non-IPC cases recorded in 2007.

The DGP also revealed that majority of rape victims belonged to the 10-14 years age group.

The number of rape victims below 10 years of age in 2006 was six which increased to 23 in 2007. The number of rape victims in the 10-14 years age group also increased from 18 in 2006 to 23 in 2007, he said.

However, the Mizoram police boasted of achieving a 93 per cent rate in crime detection in murder cases during the last two years, compared to the all-India crime detection rate of 83 per cent.

UNI ZS DPM SV PM1038